First work party at the future location of the NE Seattle Tool Library

Early that morning, a large group showed up at the future location to begin cleanup of the space.

While many of us have been visiting the site for various reasons, this was the first “official” work party that brought together a large group of volunteers. The main objective was to clean out debris including old rugs, and separate what was left into items to keep, items for trash, and items to donate elsewhere.

Tool library members tabling at the University District Farmers Market on June 30, 2012

Later, several members set up an information table at the U-District Farmers Market, coordinated by Lee (far left). It was the Tool Library’s first public outreach event.

We had our new information flier on hand out, and offered a tool-sharpening demonstration. This outing proved very successful. Several newcomers joined the site as a result of this outreach.

Our half-sheet handout, encouraging people to join the tool library and donate tools

You can’t have a tool library without someplace to keep it in, and good-sized spaces like that aren’t normally very affordable around here. We knew our Cleanscapes grant application wouldn’t stand a chance unless we had a workable location. It’s fair to say we were feeling the pressure.

Susan, who had been scouring the neighborhoods for weeks, noticed an unusual building that appeared to be unused, on the property of the North Seattle Friends Church. She inquired about it, and – long story short – on March 25, 2012, Pastor Lorraine Watson and senior leaders of the Friends Church agreed to rent the building to the NE Seattle Tool Library!

The future home of NE Seattle Tool Library

The building is adjacent to the church but has a separate mailing/street address:
2415 NE 80th St, Seattle, WA 98115

The building is in an excellent location just off the intersection of 25th Ave NE and NE 80th St., with convenient parking and street access. The building is approximately 20 feet by 75. The location has ample fluorescent lighting fixtures, electric heaters, and bathrooms for use by volunteers/staff, not the public.

The building was originally a store built in the ’20s. The Church acquired it sometime in ’60s and used it for some time as a childcare/Sunday school room. Recently it has been unused except for storage.

The building will provide adequate space for the Tool Library to grow over time, and eventually accommodate fix-it workshops and similar meetings.

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The NE Seattle Tool Library is a community-built nonprofit seeking to create a space where tools and knowledge are accessible to Seattle residents regardless of income, while reducing our consumption of tools though sharing, repair and reuse. We have over 6,500 tools available to lend. Check out our searchable inventory!